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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$43.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Nashbar | | Strengths: | overall cost to output ratio...very good. With a few modifications you can increase the length of output. | | Weaknesses: | Availability of parts for the Sigma Sport Dual Beam, not Evo X | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher | | Bottom Line: | Just was looking through some of the posts and I see mine from 2 years ago, very cool!! I recently have tried to upgrade the product with a 20W MR11 bulb, it was a no go. The bulb was too hot and melted my MR11 interchange or wire board, now I am looking for a new one or something I can use as a wire board to connect the MR11. I thought of the ceramic connector but I am hesitant. Has anyone tried this?
The light still works great though and from the website the system is now called Evo and the EVO X, with battery the price climbs into the $100 + range, a far cry from the $50 I paid 2 years ago.
I am sure I did not burn the wires just the connector. If anyone has some spare parts for the Mirage please email me, would be interested in buying the 10W light or some of its parts. I don't know why but I am just hooked on this light system... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Knop
a Racer
from Roswell
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | East Cobb Bicycle Outfitters (out of Business) | | Strengths: | Great Light using High Beam | | Weaknesses: | Stupid charging system that will fry the battery because their is no overcharge protection. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bottom Line: | I followed everyone's recommendations and also went to Batterymart.com and purchased the 6V 12Ahr sealed lead-acid rechargable battery and charger for $32.00. My only recommendation is not to cut the wire in front of the battery but take the battery casing apart (small phillips head screwdriver)and keep the stock wiring and connections. The connections to the stock battery will slide right onto the new battery connections (F1) eliminating a trip to Radio Shack. I think the entire conversion took me about 10 minutes and most of that was zip tying the wire along my top tube to the rear saddle bag. This was much easier than I thought. With this heavier duty battery you can run the bright beam as much as you want. I gave the product 5's based on the value after conversion. Thanks for the tip!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aidan de Lange
a Cross Country Rider
from Windhoek Namibia
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Whk surrounds. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | neat setup and great starter pack. | | Weaknesses: | for technical riding: not enough light.
for 24hr endurance: not enough battery life.
the promised 3,5 hr (5watt) is a long shot.
| | Similar Products Used: | first set of lights purchased. | | Bike Setup: | riding Kona King Kikapu `05.
handle bar mount. | | Bottom Line: | Can you get HiD bulbs to suit this fine product.??
for a 24hr event, unassisted, 6-8hr light (20watt) time is required.
Any advice / help with this?? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Richwood, WV
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Run | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Bright light, option of 5w or 15w, or combination of both, easy mounting, easy to recharge while on bike. | | Weaknesses: | Battery doesn't last long when using both light. I took the advice from other reviewers and purchased a better battery. This only cost me $23 for the battery and charger. Now I get 5 1/2 hrs of burn time using both lights. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Not that it matters, but: 2004 Santa Cruz Heckler, 5th Element Coil, Fox V125RLC | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome light for the money. Even with buying a better battery and changer I still only paid $83 for the entire setup. Yes the new battery is heavy (5 lbs), but I'm riding a 31 lb bikes. So it really doesn't bother me. This light gives a great view of the trail at night and the flood spreads out enough to give you some side vision as well. It mounts very easily either on the handlebars or with the stem mount.
I would highly recommend following the instructions from the other reviews and getting a better battery. It's really not hard to wire up the new battery. Just print out and follow their instrution and you will have no problems. I bought a large seat bag to mount it on the bike and it works like a dream. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Masail
a Racer
from Jordan Valley
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Road only | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Imperial Motors Tiberius | | Strengths: | Great light for road riding. I ride on rural roads mainly with a link of 5Km on a main road. I was using 2 Led front lights and found that I was given no respect buy motorists. With these lights other road users are not sure if I am a Tractor or motorbike so tend to give me more respect than they would normally give a bicycle. (The system is the new Evo + Evox pro. 5W flood and 10W spot beams with NiMh battery and smart charger) Run time using both lights is advertised at 1Hr but I get 1.5Hrs System weight is about 400gm. I can see well enough to ride at my day time speed and road signs and refelecors are visible for at least 500Mtrs. Fitting to the bike by means of the T bar is easy enough. Sigma were also kind enough tosend me extra mounting bands at no cost. | | Weaknesses: | The beam of the 10W buld could be a little wider. I suspect that if used on trial riding the 10W would be better mounted on the helmet (that would require an extra battery.) | | Similar Products Used: | Night rider ultra Fazor 5 leds + Cateye EL400 used together | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Caad 3 performance road | | Bottom Line: | I am delight with the lights. Could have gone for a more expensive system like the Topeak moonshine 3H but am glad I didnt this is more tahn enough for my needs. I am sure that in the future Sigma will offert a Lithium Iron Battery which will be lighter allow longer run times and thus more powerful lamps. The only reason I give this system 4 Chilis overall is because the 10W spot buld has a very narrow beam other wise it would have been 5 all round | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JAC
a Weekend Warrior
from ottawa
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | FP | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | compact. Overall - okay light | | Weaknesses: | battery has memory | | Similar Products Used: | BLT | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Blizzard, Oryx DD99, or Kona Stinky - depends which one is working the best | | Bottom Line: | okay for 2 hour rides, but no more. Like the 5W and 15W option. The 15W needs tape to hold the cable in place though. Buy duct tape. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rampart reservoir | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | colorado cyclist | | Strengths: | versatility, easy no tool mounting, can either be mounted using t-bar provided or directly to handlebars, 20w bulb is like riding in daylight. | | Weaknesses: | using both bulbs only provides about 50 min of ride time, the instructions left me feeling like i was uninformed and not ready to use the product. Turns out the only real problem was figuring out the charge time 5 hrs according to the manufactures web site. | | Similar Products Used: | borrowed lights, old c-cell battery op system, viewpoint | | Bike Setup: | old bike- k2 hardtail, new bike Giant nrs2 | | Bottom Line: | I use this system for xc rides and it is a great light system for the price. On longer rides i use the 5w bulb for everything but the most technical sections. Doing this I have had up to 3 hrs of ride time, which is pretty good. On a steep technical down hill nothing else i have seen on the trail can beat the 20w bulb for illumination, its like riding in daylight. The only down side is it does not last very long ,but I've considered the need to manage my light usage as part of the "night ride" challenge. I plan on researching some of the other's suggestions about upgrading the battery, I also recently purchased a 10w helmet mount light (raptor from nite-hawk) to supplement the 5w bulb and aid in cornering.
Overal i feel this system is great for the price, It would be a perfect light for commuting but the 20w bulb allows the system to be used on trail rides also, just be selective where you use it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Keller
a Cross Country Rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cedar lake Carbondale | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Great price for a great light. New improved version uses a high power 10watt that is almost as bright and gives you twice the burn time. *****SIGMA NOW OFFERS A BATTERY UPGRADE. THE NEW NIPAK NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE IS FRAME MOUNT CLEARING UP THE BOTTLE CAGE ANS WEIGH A FRACTION OF THE LEAD ACID. ALSO COMES WITH A SMART CHARGER WITH INDICATOR LIGHTS AND TRICKLE CHARGE. CALL SIGMA FOR DETAILS(888)744-6277 | | Weaknesses: | The lead acid battery is heavy, but this is what keeps it at such an affordable price. | | Similar Products Used: | Marwi kamakazi | | Bike Setup: | Tomac 98 special | | Bottom Line: | Best price on a dual beam system. Sigma's warranty dept. is stellar! Buy 2 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tawni
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Springs, CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Great value for the money | | Weaknesses: | Marginal battery capacity | | Similar Products Used: | LED headlights (worthless) | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback Apex "legacy" hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I bought these last x-mas as a present for my BF. For the price, I decided to by one for me, too!
We just use them for short, high intensity training rides at night. The light output is very good. The 20w Mirage X puts out an exceptionally bright, although relatively narrow, beam of white light.
While the battery performance is fine for our short rides, the capacity of the battery would be impractical for trail rides, as noted by others here.
I think this light set represents terrific value for the money. I didn't see anything else on the market at the time of purchase that provided 25 watts of lighting for $60.00.
Overall, we are very pleased with this product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Brightness, and intensity. | | Weaknesses: | Lights seem to loose brightness unless in a very dark area. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Wahoo | | Bottom Line: | I had read alot of reviews for a lot of lights and the Sigma seemed to be the best for the dollar, even thjough most of the reviews were from people who had modified the product. I went for it and did the same thing, thanks to all that posted remedies, I upgraded the battery to the 6V 12Ah from battery.com also, it was very simple. I found a bag at a store that was able to be modified to fit in the arch of the bike, got some straps and it works very well. I am now looking to replace some of the lights to increase the output. I figure with the bigger battery I can sacrifce for a 30 watt or 40 watt system. The lights are very bright but I would like to push the envelope and there are some systems that give that output. Does anyone know what bulbs will fit in the Sigma? again thanks for all the input, it really worked and well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy Grimes
a Cross Country Rider
from Steamboat Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fish Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Strong beam for the price | | Weaknesses: | A little work (and more $) required to attain light's full potential | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler/ Marzocchi DJ 1/ XT disc etc. | | Bottom Line: | I was very psyched about the output of this light at first, then I read these reviews and found out about the weak battery. I took the advice of several reviewers who recommended purchasing a new, stronger battery and wiring it to the light. I went to Batterymart.com and purchased the 6V 12Ahr sealed lead-acid rechargable battery and charger (with an indicator light showing when the battery is fully charged, and will not overcharge the battery-which the orignal lacked). The total purchase for this add on (new battery, charger, charger cord and shipping) was $32.00 which brought the total price to around $95.00 (still a killer deal). The burn time for this new system (at full power, with BOTH lights on) is over 4hrs (yes, I said 4hrs). The battery does weight 4.4lbs. which might make some of you weight conscious riders cringe, but you can always down grade to a 6-8Ahr battery and sacrifice some burn time. After all 4hrs is a long night ride. Using only the 5 watt light on climbs, this light would hold up for who knows how long. To do the upgrade, all you need to do is cut the wire right in front of the battery (or open the batttery pack and cut the wire inside to take advantage of the full length of wire which you don't need). Go to radio shack and buy either .187" (F1) or .250" (F2) insulated connectors depending on the hook-ups the new battery has- mine had F1 (they are 'female' and flat. Hook these to your cut wires and you are good to go all night. With a little extra effort, this system rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre Dalmas
a Cross Country Rider
from Black Mountain, NC
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kitsuma NC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bicycle | | Strengths: | Low cost, great lighting, mounting clips | | Weaknesses: | Underpowered battery, poor battery charger | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Hard tail, Iron horse | | Bottom Line: | After using a reviewer's suggestion (Danny) and replacing the battery, this lighting system is super! Just as Danny suggested, I cut the original power cord and installed plugs, so that I can plug the charger into the battery without having to remove it from the bike. I also bought the Power-Sonic 6 Volt 12 Amp Hour battery and charger. The battery fits into a 32 capacity CD wallet case almost perfectly. After bending a standard bottle cage and using a Velcro strip, the battery attaches securely to the bike. The battery weighs 4.6 lbs. so I lost 5 lbs. off my gut in order to justify the extra weight. I can burn both lamps for over 2.5 hours. The replacement battery cost $10, the charger $35 and the CD case cost $7. The total cost of the system was $97. That is still a great deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a Weekend Warrior
from Zagreb, Croatia
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | CikloCentar | | Strengths: | Lightweight and tough. Excellent money/quality ratio. Great light performance for that money. Crashed once with them on bike, lamps fell apart but nothing was broken. | | Weaknesses: | Too weak battery... Cable between Mirage 5w and battery, i have cut it and built in a connector, so i can take off battery without removing the main switch | | Similar Products Used: | 2.5W halogen lights | | Bottom Line: | My Mirage (5W) now uses 7.2V 4.5Ah waterbottle battery (4hr run time)and is working at 7W. I have 2 Mirage X lamps which are powered by 6V 20Ah SLA battery (single 6hrs, both 3 hrs) but i am planning to make more powerful NiMH battery (7.2V, 21 or 28Ah) to increase light output (which would be, in that case, around 25W each, total of 57 watts) and decrease weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklas Ingvar-Nilsson
a Racer
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Nice light, especially the 20W light. Not as broad lightbeam as Mila and Silva headlamps | | Weaknesses: | Battery, it is a joke! But it can easily be changed to a 6V NiMH battery with much better capacity and lower weight. No smart charger inkluded! | | Similar Products Used: | Cateye Daylight, Mila headlamps with bike mounts | | Bike Setup: | Marin team issue with XT. | | Bottom Line: | Nice lamps, allthough there is brighter light available on the market. The lightbeam could be wider, but it is quite OK.
I never tried it with original battery, because I imidiatly switched to 2 parralell coupeled Silva/Brunton 6V 9Ah batteries, which give me about 4 hours of full light (instead of 45 minutes). The batteries i have put i a batteri bag from the old Cateye daylight - works OK!
I cut of the battery cable just outside the battery and pit on a Moulex contact to fit the Silva/Brunton batteries.
Now i can ride in the dark untill I get tired, not unteil the battery gets tired... That is a fantastic experience in the dark part of the year in Sweden - especially together with a good helmet light from Silva/Brunton. This set up will be 5 chillis. With original set up only be about 1.5 chillis
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocala, Florida
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | e-Bike World (ebay) | | Strengths: | Low cost, Low weight, install and removes in less than 5 minutes which is great for commuters, really lights up the trail and road. | | Weaknesses: | no low battery indicator, no smart charger (but easily fixed using a light timer), switch placement needs improving. | | Similar Products Used: | cheap 2.5 watt lights | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant Rincon w/ front disc brake upgrade, Sigma lights and bike computer. | | Bottom Line: | For only paying $55, this kit cannot be beat. I just can't see paying $300 to $400 for lights.......for me that is crazy, you racers may need that but for the weekend warrior and the serious commuter this is an awesome package. If Sigma redesigns the switch locations and switches the normal charger for a smart charger and adds a low battery indicator in this kit would be unbeatable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jase
a Cross Country Rider
from Montpelier, VT
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar.com | | Strengths: | Bright light, cheap, decent mounting. | | Weaknesses: | Poor battery life, strange switching setup, no helmet mount. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bottom Line: | Decent light, but battery is heavy and weak. As other folks reported, I got 45 mins for the 20W bulb on a brand new battery. My first battery actually died after about 10 uses. I contacted Sigma Sport and they sent me a new one (nice!). But... I've tested my charger and found it to output 9V even though it's labelled 6V. That could have caused my battery to die prematurely. I've been trying to ask Sigma Sport about it, but they haven't responded to my letters or e-mails. Overall, they made a decent light but paired it with a battery that is just too weak to power a 20W bulb. I'd recommend it only for paved rides (where the 5W bulb is fine) or for very quick trail rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark watkins
a Weekend Warrior
from commack, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | nashbar | | Strengths: | very bright 20 watt beam; excellent value; well designed clips for the individual lights; allows for flexible improvising on your installation. | | Weaknesses: | heavy battery; horrible instructions (although you can easily make due with no instructions at all); the included mounting bracket will not work on all bikes, but you can install the individual lights on your handlebars with out the bracket | | Similar Products Used: | cateye1500 2.4 watt light | | Bike Setup: | cannondale r600 triple | | Bottom Line: | In it's price range, I don't think it has any competition for the light of equal brightness. I use just the 20 watt light as a; it provides all the brightness I need; b. the 5 watt light easily detaches; c. I really had no place to put the 5 watt light on my handlebars, anyway; d; for my typical 40 minute nightime roadride using just the 20 watt bulb gives my good light for my entire trip.
Hints for keeping a healthy lead acid battery: a. do not overcharge the battery or you will gradually shorten it's life; I suggest plugging your recharger into a timer that will automatically shut if off after 6 hours; b. do not ever run your battery until completely dead; this too will shorten the life of a lead acid battery; c. always store your battery fully charged | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Gardner
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT. USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Great Western | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$47.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Outside | | Strengths: | For the price, it's a great light! | | Weaknesses: | You have to modify the lights with a large capacity battery if you plan on doing some real riding in the dark. | | Similar Products Used: | Cygolite 25W NiCad | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek Fuel 98 w/ disc, carbon, sid sl, etc... | | Bottom Line: | This light is great! I am used to riding with an expensive Niterider HID, however, last season I sold it and couldn't stomach the big $$ to get a new one. So, I looked around to find a cheaper light to use temporarily. I liked the price of the Sigma, but, would it be bright enough? Yes, if you use the 20W! The 5w light is okay for the climbs, but you have to have the 20w for the downhill. I used a previous reviewers modification (Danny) and purchased a "heavy" lead acid battery and modified it to work with my 20w light. Big thanks to Danny for his email replies to my lame questions. I mounted the 20w on my helmet and placed the aftermarket battery in my Camelbak! I have the 5w with original battery on my handlebar for the ride up. The way I figure it... I have 3.5hr burntime with the 5w and approx. 2.15hr burn with the 20w. Plently of time to get a nice ride in! All in all, I probably spent $60.00 for the entire set-up and now I have two light, two batteries and two times more light than any of the other lights in this price range :-) Now, if only someone could come up with a modification to even the light pattern on the 5w light, it kind of shoots the light in a star-burst pattern... a bit bothersome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zvonimir
a
from Zagreb, Croatia, Europe
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | mountains | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | incredible bright and strong | | Weaknesses: | low capacity battery but I made one myself | | Similar Products Used: | some other halogen rubbish | | Bottom Line: | this thing works! but...you have to do some changes..I bought mirage and mirage( x separatly (just the lights) and then put 6 NiMh accu serial and x 4 parallel so I raised the voltage to 7,2(7.6)V which drops(mirage x) when under strain..
Mirage + Mirage + 6(serial)=7,2Vx4(paralel)=24 NiMh 1,2V;2,1Ah batteries + cabel and some tubes for the battery = 7,2V, 8,4Ah with this the sigma mirage works very nice and long and dont have to buy mirage x unles you need it for some fast downhill
rating for the lamps and my battery: | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Palm Harbor, FL
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$68.00 | | Purchased At: | www.gearlink.com | | Strengths: | easy setup and takedown, above stem center mount, waterproof, very bright, price | | Weaknesses: | switch location, no smart charger | | Similar Products Used: | low power AA battery lights | | Bike Setup: | mongoose pro black diamond hardluck, truvative firex crank, deore front, lx rear, judy c, wtb speed hubs rims | | Bottom Line: | very bright light for the $. I was considering the 12 watt cygo light and am glad I got this instead. The 20 watt is incredible. I Had riders in front of me stop and tell me to turn it off as I drove by!.
Great quality and value for the $ even with the weaknesses above. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dentarg
a Cross Country Rider
from Swidnik, Poland
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$66.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bikeshop - Cyklo | | Strengths: | Great 20W light, at least 30 meters full visible view.
Nice mounting kit, fast mounting without any tools, great
adjustment. | | Weaknesses: | Low runing time at 20W. Lame switches, switching from 5 to 20W is annoying, I have to turn on one switch and turn off another, so it takes time, and causes speed loss ... | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cheap hardtail with alu frame, nothing to be proud :)) | | Bottom Line: | The lights costs about 1/5 of my mounthly payment, so this is rather expensive in my country. But this is one of the best light system I can bought in Poland. I think I have to change accu for at least 2 times bigger, and system will work much better. I just went back from solo night riding across forest, 1 feet wide single tracks and avg speed above 20kmph, max about 30 I think ;). This is great, same speed as riding this tracks during the day. But switches should be merged into one with 4 options (off, 5W, 20W, 5+20W) ... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny Seelenfreund
a
from Cotati, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | roadside commuter | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$54.00 | | Purchased At: | Alfred E Bikes (http://aebike.com) | | Strengths: | Very bright light. Easy mounting. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Poor switches. Short cords. Original battery - close to useless. | | Similar Products Used: | Sigma Sport Ellipsoid | | Bottom Line: | I bought the Mirage-X because of the watts per $ value. 25 watts for $54 sounds real great. The thing is that these 25W only lasts for about 20 minutes (Yes twenty, although they claim 50).
Although the box says that the battery is 3.8 AmpH, when I opened the nifty battery box, I discovered there a 3.2 AmpH battery.
Well, 20 minutes was not enough even for my 8 miles RT commute (let alone longer biking). But hey, $54 is tempting (did I say that already). So what I did is bought another battery with more juice - say 12 AmpH (I chose powersonic http://www.power-sonic.com/6100.html) for $16. I've cut the original cable and had it plugged and did the same to the battery. So I now have two batteries, which I can easily switch between (not that it is needed anymore). The new battery lasts for more than two hours with both lights on. So, for about $80, you get great light power and long running time. Sorry folks, I (can't and) won't spend $350 on lights.
Another tip for those who consider buying it: the bracket that came with the lights is non useful because A. on some stems it is not possible to tilt the light low enough. B. The short cord of the 20W light makes it very inconvenient to operate. So I got rid of the bracket and mounted the light directly on the handlebar. Sigma Sport did a great job with their mounting clipping.
If you are in to putting some work, its a great product!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Egypt Valley, MI | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Under 100.00. Great lightset for standard street riding and or riding to work or things like that. | | Weaknesses: | Wires galore. Crappy rubber peices. Ends come unplugged. Heavy, and did I forget to mention using both bulbs puts you under 45 minutes of run time. | | Similar Products Used: | None yet. Plan too test some soon. | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper Comp Modified with a bunch of S-works and XTR goodies. | | Bottom Line: | I was initially impressed and thought wow. Alot of light for a good price. But I tell you what i did a 12 hour race and the fact that these lights just went dead slightly after one lap around 30 min. was a freaking joke. Ok you can use the small light but lets think about this for a minute. What person wants a weak light in the middle of the woods in skinny trails. Ummm not me. Ok value yes and no. Sure great lights for 70 bucks but think again. Low battery life for 70 bucks. Then to top all that off. Charger doesnt tell you when its done. No low battery warning. IT TAKES 6 HOURS TO CHARGE. So all in all I will pawn it off on ebay to get rid of it because these things just plain out SUCK!!
Oh yeah the lens covers can fall off too. There are more rubber bands than I have seen in a life time. And that battery... What a wimpy thing.
For all you out there just keep looking and I will be joining you on your search. Sure I dont want to pay 300 bucks but there has to be something that lasts longer than 30 minutes using decent lighting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gari
a
from holywell in north wales
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: |
|
$ 60.00
